Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 4:21
The sons of Shelah son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah and the clans of the linen workers at Beth-ashbea,
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The text is a genealogical record listing the descendants of Shelah, son of Judah, within a broader tribal register. It functions as a straightforward ledger of lineage without narrative dialogue or specific audience address.
The words — The Hebrew בְּנֵי (bene) literally means "sons of," establishing the genealogical format, while אֲבִי (avi) translates to "father of," marking generational succession. These terms anchor the passage in a structural list of tribal ancestry rather than a theological discourse.
The thread — This lineage connects to Genesis 38:5 and Genesis 46:12, which identify Shelah as a son of Judah, and Numbers 26:20, which recognizes his clan among Judah's descendants. The record maintains a consistent genealogical thread across the Pentateuch and Chronicles.
Why it lands — The passage requires the reader to acknowledge the documented continuity of Judah's family line through specific named ancestors and occupational clans. It demands recognition of how tribal identity and lineage were systematically preserved in Israel's historical records.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were, Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen, of the house of Ashbea,
Cross-references
- Genesis 38:5 Then she gave birth to another son and named him Shelah; it was at Chezib that she gave birth to him.
- Genesis 46:12 The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul.
- Numbers 26:20 These were the descendants of Judah by their clans: The Shelanite clan from Shelah, the Perezite clan from Perez, and the Zerahite clan from Zerah.
- 1 Chronicles 2:3 The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanite. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death.
- 1 Chronicles 9:5 From the Shilonites: Asaiah the firstborn and his sons.
- Nehemiah 11:5 and Maaseiah son of Baruch, the son of Col-hozeh, the son of Hazaiah, the son of Adaiah, the son of Joiarib, the son of Zechariah, a descendant of Shelah.